Song Rig

Sleep Now in the Fire

Tom Morello · The Battle of Los Angeles · 1999

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

RATM's most funk-influenced track — the guitar tone is tighter and cleaner than the debut album, with the Battle of Los Angeles production giving more definition to individual string attacks. The turntable-like scratching effects in the verse are created entirely with guitar manipulation.

Signal Chain

1'Arm the Homeless' custom guitar
2Marshall JCM800 (refined tone from touring evolution)
3DigiTech Whammy
4Kill switch (custom wired toggle)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass7

Mid7

Treble7

Presence7

Slightly lower gain than the debut — the 1999 production gives individual notes more definition. Tom's kill switch technique in the intro creates a rhythmic stutter that replicates the effect of a DJ scratching a record.

Technique

How to Play It

Kill switch rhythm — tapping the toggle switch at precise rhythmic intervals while holding a sustained note creates a pulse that sounds like a turntable scratch. The speed and rhythm of the switch tapping determines the character of the effect.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Guitar with kill switch mod (easy DIY modification to any guitar) → Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or similar → any amp. The kill switch technique is the defining element; without it, the intro loses its identity.

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